Retention and positive connection with me
As an instructor, I feel that making a positive connection with my students really helps with overall retention.
Good point about being in class early, Caron. This is a great time to exchange information and is a practice often overlooked.
STUDENTS MUST FEEL THAT THEY CAN TRUST YOU AND THEY HAVE ACCESS TO YOU THROUGH YOUR TIME AND YOUR ABILITY TO LISTEN TO THEIR CONCERNS AND FEAR. WHEN THE STUDENTS SEES THAT YOU ARE CONCERNED WITH THEIR SUCCESS AND YOU BELIEVE IN THEM, THEY BEGIN TO SEE THE POSSIBILITIES OF COMPLETING WHAT THEY'VE STARTED, BECAUSE OF YOUR SUPPORT AND WISDOM. IF YOU'RE BUSY WHEN A STUDENT WANTS TO CONFIDE IN YOU AND YOU DON'T SHOW A CONCCERN OR GIVE THEM TIME, THEY LOOSE HOPE AND FAITH AND BEGIN TO DOUBT THEIR OWN ABILITIES TO BE SUCCESFUL. BEING AVAILABLE AND COMMUNICATING WITH THE STUDENTS IN A TIMELY FASHION CAN OFF-SET STRESS AND DEPRESSION WHICH CAN LEAD TO A STUDENT DROPPING OUT OF THEIR PROGRAM AND THAT WILL NORMALLY HAPPEN IN THE EARLIER PART OF THEIR PROGRAM.
IT'S AMAZING WHAT A SMILE AND ACKNOWLEDGEING THE STUDENT BY KNOWING THEIR NAME WILL DO TO THE STUDENTS MORALE AND CONFIDENCE, THAT YOU AGAIN TOOK THE TIME TO KNOW THE STUDENT AND YOU CARED.
Talking with them and finding a common interest . I feel like I am very successful , most of the time.
greg, how do you define a "positive connection"? How often are you successful in making this connection?
